After spreading the resin out across the surface of the work, it's time to smooth the edges and get rid of the air bubbles by using a mini torch. The heat causes the bubbles to burst and makes the surface of the resin more even.

What's a good way to keep artwork from being damaged? Applying a sealant to it of course! My sealant of choice for this project was ArtResin epoxy. In addition to helping the paint retain it's colors, the resin will also give a glossy finish to the work.

To make it happen, I had to mix equal parts of the hardener and resin in a well ventilated space. Not trying to inhale all the chemicals!

*All images in this post were taken by Nabeela Vega.

Once everything was mixed together, it was time to pour, spread, and smooth.

With all of the faces painted, the time has come to get started on the words. To simplify the process I'm sticking to painting with black ink.

Because all of the letters are a consistent height, I can even abandon the chair I'd been using and stand as I work.

The text says, " Mattapan is rich in history, culture, and beauty." After interviewing all of the youth, these ideas seemed to be the undercurrent of everything they were saying about Mattapan. Whether it be through things they saw as they walked around the neighborhood, information that elders had shared with them, or what they feel when they look in the mirror, their residency in Mattapan has a huge effect on how they navigate through the world. And that in itself is why youth need to be supported and nurtured.

Feeling triumphant in the studio today as I work on the final face, Ahlana.

The fullness of her cheeks were so fun to paint. I had to get in the highlights by painting with lighter colors to make sure they end up looking more round and 3D. And of course a face is nothing without the eyebrows!

One of the awesome things about getting chosen as an artist for this commission was getting to amplify positive things about Mattapan by spending time with and talking to the people who live there. For the research part of my practice, I got a tour of Mattapan from the youth at The Violence Intervention Program (VIP) housed at Mattapan Community Health Center. Plus, every Mattapan resident who volunteered to be a model for the artwork allowed me to interview them. The images below are photographs I took as reference for the artwork.... and I'd also like to think of them as byproducts of good conversation.

*All photographs are taken by Chanel Thervil, unless otherwise noted.

Meet CC: One of the seven Mattapan residents featured in the artwork.

CT: What do you love about Mattapan?

CC:The diversity and you have all the stores in you need in one place!

Getting started on the second panel of faces in the studio today. Lila's face is filled with golds, yellows, and browns.

Although I am making a painting, I use my paintbrush more like a pencil. I work really hard to make my brushstrokes retain a sketchy quality often found in drawing. That really comes out when I use the ink to start outlining.

One of the awesome things about getting chosen as an artist for this commission was getting to amplify positive things about Mattapan by spending time with and talking to the people who live there. For the research part of my practice, I got a tour of Mattapan from the youth at The Violence Intervention Program (VIP) housed at Mattapan Community Health Center. Plus, every Mattapan resident who volunteered to be a model for the artwork allowed me to interview them. The images below are photographs I took as reference for the artwork.... and I'd also like to think of them as byproducts of good conversation.

*All photographs are taken by Chanel Thervil, unless otherwise noted.

Meet Lila: One of the seven Mattapan residents featured in the artwork.

CT: What would like to see more of in Mattapan?

Lila: Remodeling of some of the old broken down buildings.

CT: What do you love about Mattapan?

Lila: I like the park that's near my house because of all of the trees. Sometimes we have community gatherings there and people bring their pets.

If you spend some time really looking at your own skin, you'll come to realize that there are so many colors embedded within.

For those that are familiar with makeup, when buying foundation or concealer it's all about knowing if your undertones are warm, neutral, or cool (aka knowing if your skin color is more yellow, brown, or red).

It's very similar when painting! I have to get the undertones and cultivate a spectrum of values within the shades of colors used to account for highlights and shadows cast too.

It may be a lot to take in, but it all comes together to make something beautiful.

What has always intrigued me about making portraits is trying to capture something about a person that seems authentic or genuine enough to display who they are. Because of the integrity I want my portraits to have, I make a point to have the lived experience of talking to and photographing each person myself.

That experience is just as helpful as the reference images I print and view on my phone as I paint.

With every layer there's more dimension and life given to the figure....but it still doesn't quite look like a person until the eyebrows are on.

One of the awesome things about getting chosen as an artist for this commission was getting to amplify positive things about Mattapan by spending time with and talking to the people who live there. For the research part of my practice, I got a tour of Mattapan from the youth at The Violence Intervention Program (VIP) housed at Mattapan Community Health Center. Plus, every Mattapan resident who volunteered to be a model for the artwork allowed me to interview them. The images below are photographs I took as reference for the artwork.... and I'd also like to think of them as byproducts of good conversation.

*All photographs are taken by Chanel Thervil, unless otherwise noted.

Meet Arthur: One of the seven Mattapan residents featured in the artwork.

CT: What do you wish more people knew about Mattapan?

Arthur: It's place that is under-credited and overlooked. There is such a wealth of diversity, history, culture that make up the communities within the Mattapan community. I wish more people took the time to get to know that rather than making assumptions.

CT: How has living in Mattapan affected you?

Arthur: It has had such a positive impact on my growth and development. I have learned so much through my experiences here. Living and working here has shown me so much about how the potential of young people needs to be encouraged and supported so they can be the positive impact they wish to see in their community.

With all those abstract forms done, it's time to get those faces painted!

I spend a lot of time envisioning how each layer of color will engage with each other. What's really exciting about painting flesh is the wide range of shades and values that make up the hue of our tones and bring life to the image.

Black ink is the finishing touch to highlight the deepest areas of the face and add lashes. More to come soon!